Colorado’s defensive plan for Texas Tech got a lot cleaner in a hurry.
A ruling from the Kentucky Court of Appeals, reported by On3’s Pete Nakos, made quarterback Thomas Castellanos ineligible just one day before the No. 12 Red Raiders face the Buffaloes.
Castellanos wasn’t Texas Tech’s starter, but he mattered. The Red Raiders had been using him as a wildcat option, a runner with just enough passing threat to keep defenses from loading up on Will Hammond.
That wrinkle is gone now, and Colorado can adjust accordingly. The Buffs should be able to attack Hammond more aggressively, especially with his mobility still limited as he works back from the ACL tear he suffered last season. Without Castellanos available to come in and help Texas Tech answer pressure, Colorado’s path becomes pretty clear: make Hammond uncomfortable early and often.
That means the blitz package should be front and center. Defensive coordinator Chris Marve has already shown he’s willing to send extra pressure this season, and this matchup figures to invite even more of it. The challenge, of course, is not letting that aggression open the door for Texas Tech’s ground game.
The Red Raiders still have plenty to work with in the backfield. J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey have combined for 512 yards and seven touchdowns on 99 carries through four games, giving Texas Tech a running game that can punish overcommitment.
Colorado edge rusher Toby Anene said the Buffs had been preparing for that balance all week, even before Castellanos was ruled out. He explained the key to handling it during his Wednesday press conference.
“It just comes down to reading our keys,” Anene said. “Reading our tackles, understanding down and distance, what type of plays they’re running and what the situation is.”
Anene’s job gets even bigger if Colorado is missing his edge partner, Lamont Lester Jr. But the work up front doesn’t stop there. The Buffs’ interior rotation of Santana Hopper, Dylan Manuel and Samu Taumanupepe is expected to be central to the game plan, especially against the run.
Colorado’s linebackers have spent much of the season on gap control and run support, and that responsibility becomes tougher without Tyler Martinez. That puts even more pressure on the middle of the defense to hold its ground, create push against Texas Tech’s interior offensive line and generate tackles for loss.
If that happens, Anene and the rest of Colorado’s front can stay on the attack and keep Hammond from settling in.
In Other News...
Texas Tech Fans Stumbled Onto A Colorado Mystery Before Kickoff
Texas Tech supporters got an unexpected glimpse behind the curtain before kickoff when a 25-page Colorado game plan playbook was reportedly found at the Buffaloes' team hotel. The document appeared authentic and, according to the report, lined up with plays Colorado actually used in the game, turning what might have been a routine pregame footnote into a curious subplot around the matchup.
The game itself only deepened the intrigue for the Red Raiders, who watched Colorado struggle through a 29-7 loss marked by turnovers and interceptions. After a third straight defeat, Deion Sanders pointed to problems inside the program and said the Buffaloes will open up the quarterback competition during the bye week, leaving plenty of questions for a team trying to steady itself. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Defense Just Turned A Nervy Start Into A Statement Win
Texas Tech walked into Boulder facing a tricky setup and spent the first half looking like a team trying to find its footing. Colorado had the early edge, but the Red Raiders kept hanging around long enough for the defense to start tilting the game their way, and once the takeaways started coming, the whole mood of the night changed.
John Curry, Brice Pollock and Malik Esquerra each came away with interceptions as Texas Tech turned a halftime deficit into a 29-7 win. Will Hammond threw for 134 yards and a touchdown, while J'Koby Williams and Quinten Joyner also found the end zone, giving the Red Raiders a road victory that felt a lot cleaner by the finish than it did when it began. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Escapes One Cameron Dickey Fear But Another Question Looms
Texas Tech got one encouraging bit of news out of Cameron Dickeys ankle injury from the Colorado game when X-rays came back negative, easing fears of anything catastrophic. Head coach Joey McGuire said the back is likely dealing with a high ankle sprain, but the timing of the Red Raiders open week gives the staff at least a chance to see if Dickey can work back in time for Arizona State.
Even with Dickey sidelined, Quenten Joyner handled a bigger workload and made his presence felt in the win over Colorado. That keeps Texas Tech from feeling completely exposed if Dickey needs more time, but it also leaves a familiar question hanging over the next stretch: how much of the offense will be available when the Red Raiders return to the field? [Read more 🡒]